Kit Clayton
Lateral Forces: Surface Fault (Vertical Form)
While some unions of dub and electronica result in acoustics weighed down by sofa-rattling drones and scratches, Kit Clayton treats music as a process rather than a soundstage. Here Clayton subjects the previously released 12-inch Lateral Forces to digital rejiggering: He slices, stretches, overlays, and multiplies the original recording's grooves in 40 minutes of play, creating an entirely new auditory experience.
Alejandro Escovedo
A Man Under the Influence (Bloodshot)
Rustic and rootsy without being cliché, the distinctly American rock and roll of Alejandro Escovedo reveals a macho vulnerability. The Austin singer-songwriter infuses heartfelt balladry with a cathartic Texas punk spirit and the orchestral grandeur of a string section. On the moving farewell saga, "Wave," his plaintive voice is surrounded by pedal-steel guitar, cellos, and bowed stand-up bass. Dramatic love melodies like "Follow You Down" are raw, earnest poetry. Chris Stamey's dramatic production values help balance stark confessionals with barn-burning raves.
The Angel
No Gravity (Supa Crucial)
The Angel neatly subverts the hip hop scene's patriarchy on this solo effort, producing all her own songs and inviting the men to guest star. Featured underground rapper Divine Styler preaches self-empowerment on the engrossing "Act As If," while Navigator from Freestylers throws down wisdom on the raga-injected "Unda Pressure." Atmospheric, moody, and often quite bleak, No Gravity is to mainstream urban music what Scream is to film noir. The Angel culls beats from bluesy piano licks, vibraphones, and a squealing sax to gradually coalesce into rhythm, as opposed to overlayering a mix to the point of saturation.
Shuggie Otis
Inspiration Information (Luaka Bop)
Guitar prodigy Shuggie Otis plays the blues like he's tripping at a be-in. On this unearthed 1974 treasure, he jams like a blissful Sly ("Inspiration Information"), belts sweet soul ("Aht Uh Mi Hed"), and noodles with an early drum machine ("XL-30"). With the addition of four cuts, including "Strawberry Letter 23," from his '71 masterpiece, Freedom Flight, this collection is all psychedelic sonic sunshine.
Fuzz Townshend
Far In (Stinky)
On this US debut, Fuzz Townshend (of Pop Will Eat Itself and Bentley Rhythm Ace) mixes his way through every available genre, from the reggae of "Original Boom" to the game-show schlock of "Smash It." Stirring up the club-kid fodder made safe by Fatboy Slim and others, Fuzz lays down his body-moving break beats under a cover of narcotic loops. As catchy as an airborne virus, this is dance music blended so skillfully the only thing you'll notice is your urgent need to shake it.
Marilyn Crispell
Amaryllis (ECM)
Breaking with the free-jazz tradition, which equates creativity with velocity, pianist-composer Marilyn Crispell carves chords into silence with the intent of a monk planting stones in a Zen garden. The pedigree of her bandmates is impeccable: Drummer Paul Motian embarked on his career playing with Bill Evans, and bassist Gary Peacock has held forth in the influential Keith Jarrett Trio since 1977. Majestic and quietly affirming, Amaryllis blends Crispell's interpretations of landmark tunes like "Conception Vessel" with group improvisations so telepathic they sound composed. Crispell plumbs the sacramental stillness with poise.
Spacehog
The Hogyssey (Artemis)
Ever wondered what Roxy Music would sound like if fronted by a less feral Axl Rose? Look no further than Spacehog. After a three-year break and a label switch, the quartet - led by Royston Langdon - has resumed mining the '70s glam-rock veins of Bryan Ferry, David Bowie, and Mott the Hoople with a modern pickax. A tongue-in-cheek ode to life on the road, "At Least I Got Laid" is bound to become a partying fave. As a nod to 2001: A Space Odyssey, the album's 12 tunes are loosely based on the sequence of events in the movie - even its theme song appears, funked-up with wa-wa pedals. Concept or no, these glam hams deliver.
Buck 65
Man Overboard (Anticon)
Growing up in remote Halifax, Nova Scotia, made Buck 65 more imaginative than the average MC-producer. Over decided and deliberate low-fi beats, Buck links his mother's death, DJ battles, and his crisis of artistic integrity - all in just three tracks that run 10 minutes. Such breadth and depth make Buck an enigma in the hip hop world; he's a gifted rapper preoccupied with a flow that's more spiritual than lyrical.
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